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Overview of Postpartum Depression Signs
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health condition that can occur after childbirth. It is more intense and lasts longer than the "baby blues," which are common and typically resolve within two weeks after delivery. PPD can begin anytime within the first year postpartum and requires medical attention for proper management and recovery.
Key Signs and Symptoms
- Persistent Sadness or Low Mood: Feeling overwhelmingly sad or hopeless most of the day, nearly every day.Perinatal Depression - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfPeople with perinatal depression ... depression, including tearfulness, crying spells, sorrow, mood swings, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, poor appetite, fatigue, and inability to think clearly. However, unlike postpartum blues, which typically resolves within a few weeks, does not cause ...Read full articleSource: ncbi.nlm.nih.govSymptoms of Depression Among Women | Reproductive Health | CDCSymptoms of depression can include a lasting sad, anxious, or "empty" mood. Symptoms can also include a loss of interest in hobbies and activities and a lack of energy. Additional symptoms can be found at Mental Health Conditions: Depression and Anxiety. Postpartum depression is depression ...
- Loss of Interest or Pleasure: A lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable, including spending time with the baby.Perinatal Depression - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfPeople with perinatal depression ... depression, including tearfulness, crying spells, sorrow, mood swings, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, poor appetite, fatigue, and inability to think clearly. However, unlike postpartum blues, which typically resolves within a few weeks, does not cause ...Read full articleSource: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov8 Signs of Postpartum Depression - Capital Women's CarePostpartumdepression is more common than you think. Discover signs you or a loved one may be suffering from PPD here.Read full articleSource: obgynmaryland.com
- Sleep Disturbances: Difficulty sleeping, even when the baby is asleep, or sleeping too much.Perinatal Depression - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfPeople with perinatal depression ... depression, including tearfulness, crying spells, sorrow, mood swings, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, poor appetite, fatigue, and inability to think clearly. However, unlike postpartum blues, which typically resolves within a few weeks, does not cause ...Read full articleSource: ncbi.nlm.nih.govSymptoms of Depression Among Women | Reproductive Health | CDCSymptoms of depression can include a lasting sad, anxious, or "empty" mood. Symptoms can also include a loss of interest in hobbies and activities and a lack of energy. Additional symptoms can be found at Mental Health Conditions: Depression and Anxiety. Postpartum depression is depression ...
- Changes in Appetite: Significant weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting.Perinatal Depression - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfPeople with perinatal depression ... depression, including tearfulness, crying spells, sorrow, mood swings, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, poor appetite, fatigue, and inability to think clearly. However, unlike postpartum blues, which typically resolves within a few weeks, does not cause ...Read full articleSource: ncbi.nlm.nih.govSymptoms of Depression Among Women | Reproductive Health | CDCSymptoms of depression can include a lasting sad, anxious, or "empty" mood. Symptoms can also include a loss of interest in hobbies and activities and a lack of energy. Additional symptoms can be found at Mental Health Conditions: Depression and Anxiety. Postpartum depression is depression ...
- Fatigue or Loss of Energy: Feeling tired all the time, even after resting.Perinatal Depression - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfPeople with perinatal depression ... depression, including tearfulness, crying spells, sorrow, mood swings, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, poor appetite, fatigue, and inability to think clearly. However, unlike postpartum blues, which typically resolves within a few weeks, does not cause ...Read full articleSource: ncbi.nlm.nih.govSymptoms of Depression Among Women | Reproductive Health | CDCSymptoms of depression can include a lasting sad, anxious, or "empty" mood. Symptoms can also include a loss of interest in hobbies and activities and a lack of energy. Additional symptoms can be found at Mental Health Conditions: Depression and Anxiety. Postpartum depression is depression ...
- Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt: Intense feelings of guilt or worthlessness, often related to being a parent.Perinatal Depression - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfPeople with perinatal depression ... depression, including tearfulness, crying spells, sorrow, mood swings, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, poor appetite, fatigue, and inability to think clearly. However, unlike postpartum blues, which typically resolves within a few weeks, does not cause ...Read full articleSource: ncbi.nlm.nih.govSymptoms of Depression Among Women | Reproductive Health | CDCSymptoms of depression can include a lasting sad, anxious, or "empty" mood. Symptoms can also include a loss of interest in hobbies and activities and a lack of energy. Additional symptoms can be found at Mental Health Conditions: Depression and Anxiety. Postpartum depression is depression ...
- Difficulty Bonding with the Baby: Feeling disconnected from the baby or as if you are not the baby’s mother.Perinatal Depression - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfPeople with perinatal depression ... depression, including tearfulness, crying spells, sorrow, mood swings, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, poor appetite, fatigue, and inability to think clearly. However, unlike postpartum blues, which typically resolves within a few weeks, does not cause ...Read full articleSource: ncbi.nlm.nih.govPostpartum depression | Office on Women's HealthZuranolone, the first oral medication approved to treat postpartumdepression may be another option. These treatments can be used alone or together. Talk with your doctor or nurse about the benefits and risks of taking medicine to treat depression when you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Having depression can affect your baby. Getting treatment is important for you and your baby. Getting help is a sign ...
- Anxiety and Irritability: High levels of anxiety or irritability, sometimes with panic attacks.Perinatal Depression - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfPeople with perinatal depression ... depression, including tearfulness, crying spells, sorrow, mood swings, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, poor appetite, fatigue, and inability to think clearly. However, unlike postpartum blues, which typically resolves within a few weeks, does not cause ...Read full articleSource: ncbi.nlm.nih.govPostpartum Depression | Symptoms| MedStar HealthSymptoms of postpartumdepression (PPD) includes sadness, irritability or anxiety. If you experience symptoms for longer than 2 weeks make an appointment with a MedStar Health specialist today.Read full articleSource: medstarhealth.org
- Thoughts of Harm: Thoughts of harming oneself or the baby, which require immediate medical attention.Perinatal Depression - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfPeople with perinatal depression ... depression, including tearfulness, crying spells, sorrow, mood swings, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, poor appetite, fatigue, and inability to think clearly. However, unlike postpartum blues, which typically resolves within a few weeks, does not cause ...Read full articleSource: ncbi.nlm.nih.govPostpartum Depression Causes, Symptoms, and TreatmentsPostpartumdepressionisdepression that occurs after childbirth. About one in nine women experience postpartumdepression. Learn about treatment options.Read full articleSource: UPMC
Differentiating from Baby Blues
- Duration: Baby blues typically resolve within two weeks, whereas PPD persists longer and can worsen without treatment.Symptoms of Depression Among Women | Reproductive Health | CDCSymptoms of depression can include a lasting sad, anxious, or "empty" mood. Symptoms can also include a loss of interest in hobbies and activities and a lack of energy. Additional symptoms can be found at Mental Health Conditions: Depression and Anxiety. Postpartum depression is depression ...Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression: Mood Disorders and Pregnancy | Johns Hopkins MedicineThese are hormonal changes that can cause anxiety, crying and restlessness that goes away within the first two weeks after giving birth. Also called postpartum blues, the baby blues are actually a mild — and temporary — form of depression that goes away once hormones level out.
- Severity: Baby blues involve mild mood swings, whereas PPD includes severe mood disturbances that interfere with daily functioning.Perinatal Depression - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfPeople with perinatal depression ... depression, including tearfulness, crying spells, sorrow, mood swings, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, poor appetite, fatigue, and inability to think clearly. However, unlike postpartum blues, which typically resolves within a few weeks, does not cause ...Read full articleSource: ncbi.nlm.nih.govSymptoms of Depression Among Women | Reproductive Health | CDCSymptoms of depression can include a lasting sad, anxious, or "empty" mood. Symptoms can also include a loss of interest in hobbies and activities and a lack of energy. Additional symptoms can be found at Mental Health Conditions: Depression and Anxiety. Postpartum depression is depression ...
Risk Factors
- History of Depression or Anxiety: Previous episodes increase the risk of PPD.Perinatal Depression - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfPeople with perinatal depression ... depression, including tearfulness, crying spells, sorrow, mood swings, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, poor appetite, fatigue, and inability to think clearly. However, unlike postpartum blues, which typically resolves within a few weeks, does not cause ...Read full articleSource: ncbi.nlm.nih.govBaby Blues and Postpartum Depression: Mood Disorders and Pregnancy | Johns Hopkins MedicineThese are hormonal changes that can cause anxiety, crying and restlessness that goes away within the first two weeks after giving birth. Also called postpartum blues, the baby blues are actually a mild — and temporary — form of depression that goes away once hormones level out.
- Lack of Support: Insufficient emotional or social support can contribute to the development of PPD.Perinatal Depression - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfPeople with perinatal depression ... depression, including tearfulness, crying spells, sorrow, mood swings, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, poor appetite, fatigue, and inability to think clearly. However, unlike postpartum blues, which typically resolves within a few weeks, does not cause ...Read full articleSource: ncbi.nlm.nih.govAntenatal risk factors for postpartum depression: a synthesis of recent literature - ScienceDirectPostpartum nonpsychotic depression is the most common complication of childbearing, affecting approximately 10–15% of women and, as such, represents a…Read full articleSource: sciencedirect.com
- Stressful Life Events: Significant stressors during or after pregnancy can increase risk.Perinatal Depression - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfPeople with perinatal depression ... depression, including tearfulness, crying spells, sorrow, mood swings, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, poor appetite, fatigue, and inability to think clearly. However, unlike postpartum blues, which typically resolves within a few weeks, does not cause ...Read full articleSource: ncbi.nlm.nih.govRisk Factors for Postpartum Depression: An Umbrella Review - Hutchens - 2020 - Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health - Wiley Online LibraryThe results of the ACEs studies ... statistically significant risk factors for PPD, including high life stress, lack of social support, current or past abuse, prenatal depression, and marital or partner dissatisfaction....
Seeking Help
Remember, you are not alone, and effective treatments are available to help you and your baby thrive.
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